Breech block operating mechanism



Allg. p.4 H GlRQUARD E1-AL v BREECH BLOCK OPERATING' MECHANISM originalFiled Aug. 27. 1952 7 sheets-sheet 2 THOMAS C. COLL /E/f /JTTYS Aug. 18,1964 P. H. GIROUARD ETAL 3,144,809

BREECH BLOCK OPERATING MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 27; 1952 7Sheets-Sheet 3 INVENTORS .3. .www

Aug 18, 1964 P. H. GIROUARD ETAL 3,144,809

` BREECH BLOCK OPERATING MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 27, 1952 '7Sheets-Sheet 4 f-/vi'Z @I /f/a l I l Il l# l Il E :mi o o i o a0 o 346I6 300e 31a a l u Z0 y 1a i `llvl/Elvoles ug- 18, 1954 P. H. GlRouARDETAL 3,144,809 BREECH BLOCK OPERATING MECHANISM originalrileq Aug( 27,1952 7 smeg-sheet e Aug. 18, 1964 P. H. GIROUARD ETAL BREECH BLOCKOPERATING MECHANISM Original Filed Aug. 27, 1952 '7 Sheets-Sheet 7United States Patent() z claims. (ci. 89-4) The present inventionrelates to major caliber guns vn'th calibers of the order of magnitudeof tive inches or greater preferably employing separate or semi-'fixedammunition and intended to be effective for both antiaircraft andsurface lire and particularly to the mount structure for such guns andthe ammunition handling features thereof.

This application is a division of copending application Serial No.306,612, iiled August 27, 1952 by the present applicants.

In guns of this caliber it is highly desirable that a substantiallynormal or conventional position of the gun trunnions be maintained inorder to keep the weight of the gun at a minimum in eifecting a propergun balance. In the present invention the gun can be loaded in anyposition of elevation and of course in any position of turning ortraining. This makes the invention of high utility in anti-aircraft use.

The instrumentalities for so loading the gun are practically allautomatic in their operation and when so operated, are for the most parthydraulically actuated, suitable interloclts being provided to insurethe proper sequence of operation and to prevent improper firing of thegun. While the gun of the present invention is to be understood ashaving a conventional turret mounting, in that it is intended primarilyfor naval use, this is not necessarily essential. Other well known typesof gun mountings may be employed within the purview of the presentinvention to make the gun available for general military use, whethernaval or otherwise. While in the embodiment of the invention illustratedonly one gun is shown, it is obvious that the inventive concepts andmuch of the structure described would be equally applicable to a mountcarrying more than one gun.

The mount in general has means for supplying ammunition to the gunincluding a lower hoist installed on the tixed structure of the ship orother foundation. Said hoist comprises one or more hoist tubes. In theembodiment of the invention illustrated, said hoist comprises a pair ofspaced tubes. The units or rounds of ammunition are automatically fed tosaid tubes respectively by loaders. There is a loader for each tube andthe units or rounds of ammunition are manually fed to said loaders. (ltmay be noted that this is the only manual operation involved in theoperation of the mount while in automatic operation, and further thatthe manual feed can be continued in order to replenish the ammunition inthe various mount parts receiving the same at all times during automaticoperation.)

The said loaders are identical and while their structure 3,144,869Patented Aug. 18, 1964 ICC may be varied to suit the particularammunition used, in the embodiment of the invention illustrated eachloader comprises a casing in which are disposed two superposed rotatabledrums arranged in axial alignment. Each drum has a series ofcircumferentially spaced chambers. These chambers in the upper drumreceive the projectiles and said cham-bers in the lower drum receive thepowder cases. The casing has an opening for each drum provided with oneor more swinging doors and the powder cases and projectiles are pushedagainst and past said doors through said openings into said chambers inthe respective drums. Said drums are automatically rotated or indexedand means are provided for preventing indexing while ammunition is beingfed into said drums and for locking said doors to prevent feeding ofammunition while said drums are being indexed. This protects theoperators. The drums move the projectiles and powder cases intoalignment with and into said hoist tubes or passages. The lower hoisthas chains moving through said tubes to elevate the ammunition in saidtubes to a rotatable carrier. A support is provided for the projectilewhen moved into said tube and this support is moved from beneath theprojectile allowing the latter to rest on top of the powder case and theround is thus moved up in tandem with the projectile riding directly onthe powder case plug. The chains in the lower hoist tubes are equippedwith retaining members which prevent shucking of the ammunition unitsduring deceleration of the hoist.

The carrier to which the round of ammunition is delivered by said lowerhoist is rotatably mounted on a central column which depends from thegun supporting portion or mount proper. The said carrier hascircumferentially spaced Chambers which receive the ammunition from thetubes of said lower hoist. In the embodiment of the inventionillustrated, said chambers in the carrier are spaced 18() degrees apart.The carrier is automatically rotated to bring the chambers thereof intoalignment with one or more tubes or passages of an upper hoist, whichupper hoist is carried by and rotates with the gun or the mount proper.In the embodiment of the invention illustrated, the upper hoist has twotubes spaced degrees apart. The carrier has a control mechanism whichreceives information as to the position of the mount proper, and thevelocity and direction of rotation of the mount proper. This informationis added mechanically and the carrier drive and control mechanismtherefor is triggered to cause rotation of the carrier in a directionwhich will bring its said chambers into alignment with the said tubes ofthe upper or lower hoists in the shortest period of time. The carrier isprovided with latches which are operated to latch it to the upper andlower hoists respectively. Either chamber of said carrier can deliver toeither tube of the upper hoist.

The ammunition is automatically transferred laterally from the chambersin the carrier to the tubes of the upper hoists while the carrier islatched to the upper hoist. Upon completion of the transfer the carrierautomatically returns to the lower hoist and is latched thereto inposition to receive further ammunition from the lower hoist.

The upper hoist, which is illustrated as a shuttle hoist, elevates theunits or rounds of ammunition to a cradle. In the embodiment of theinvention illustrated, two cradles are provided, one at each side of thegun. Said cradles are respectively carried on arms which respectivelyswing about the axis of the gun trunnions. The cradle comprises a casinghaving a chamber therein which receives the unit or round of ammunitionfrom the upper hoist while said chamber is in a substantially verticalposition, vertically aligned with an upper hoist tube and latched to theupper hoist. The cradle is then automatically swung upward to bring thecasing and chamber thereof into position at the rear of the gun andsubstantially parallel to the gun axis and alongside a transfer tray.The round of ammunition is then automatically transferred laterally orsidewise from the cradle to said transfer tray.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated two transfer trays areprovided, one at each side of the gun adjacent the rear thereof. Theround is clamped in position in the transfer tray and while the transfertray is in its receiving position, the mechanical time fuse is set. Thefuse pot of the fuse setter mechanism is automatically moved to engageand set the said time fuse and the fuse pot is then retracted.

Each tray is moved from a receiving position in which it issubstantially parallel to the gun axis and at one side and adjacent therear of the gun, in which position it receives the round from thecradle, to a discharging or ramming position in axial alignment with thegun bore. The round is then rammed from the tray into the breech by therammer. The transfer trays are alternately moved to a ramming positionso that one tray is being loaded while the other is having the roundrammed therefrom. As soon as the rammer cross-head has cleared theforward end of the transfer `tray the transfer tray starts back toreceiving position.

The breech block is raised to closing position immediately after therammer is retracted.

As soon as the charge is fired the breech block is lowered. Theoperation of the breech block both in closing and opening isautomatically and hydraulically powered. Triggering of the opening cycleof the block is accomplished by valving which is actuated during recoil.

An empty case tray is provided which moves from a receiving position inwhich it is in substantial alignment with the gun bore to a dischargeposition below the gun bore. The empty case tray moves to its receivingposition between each movement of a transfer tray to ramming position.Suitable interlocks are provided to prevent any interference of thetransfer trays and the empty case tray.

A discharge chute for the empty cases is provided into which the emptycases are discharged by the empty case tray. The empty cases are thenmoved through said chute and are discharged at the end thereof.

In the light of the foregoing, it is an object of this invention toprovide a mount for a gun comprising means for supplying ammunition tosaid gun including a series of cooperating mechanisms which move theround from the loading deck to the gun.

It is another object of this invention to provide a mount for a gunhaving parts powered from an accumulator system, a recoil mechanism forsaid gun together with means actuated by the recoil of said gun forcharging uid into the accumulator system.

It is also an object of this invention to provide a mount for a. gun,including a breech block movable to operative or closed position and toinoperative or open position, together with a novel and efficient poweroperated mechanism for moving said block to said positions.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a mount for agun, including a breech block movable to operative or closed positionand to inoperative or open position, together with novel and eflicientmanually operated mechanism for moving said block to said positions.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be fullyset forth in the following description made in connection with theaccompanying drawings in which like reference characters refer tosimilar parts throughout the several views and in which:

FIG. 1 is a somewhat schematic perspective view of the mount, some partsbeing broken away;

FIG. la is a schematic perspective view of the upper portion of themount, some parts being broken away;

FIG. 1b is a vertical section taken substantially on line 1in-1b of FIG.la looking forwardly as indicated by the arrows;

FIG. 2 is a view in front elevation of the principal portions of themount;

FIG. 3 is a schematic View partly in side elevation and partly invertical section of the breech block and a portion of the operatingmechanism therefor;

FIG. 4 is a schematic View partly in side elevation and partly invertical section of another portion of the breech block operatingmechanism;

FIG. 5 is a schematic view in vertical section of another portion of theoperating mechanism for the breech block.

Before proceeding with the detailed description of the various parts ofthe breech block mechanism, a general description of the mount inconnection with the showing in FIGS. l, 1a, 1b and 2 will be given.

As above stated, the mount comprises the loader which includes twoidentical loading devices. Each of these devices comprises the lowercasing Ztl and an upper casing 24. A powder case drum 23 is rotatable ineach casing 20 and a projectile drum 4t) is rotatable in each casing Z4.The powder cases are pushed into the casing 2t) and into the powder casedrum by the operator. The case is pushed against and past a pair ofresiliently mounted doors 51 and the projectiles are similarly pushedinto the casings 24 and into the projectile drum through a similar pairof doors 27. The powder case drums and the projectile drums are rotatedor indexed step by step and the round of ammunition comprising thepowder case and projectile is brought into alignment with the hoisttubes th: in the casings 1900 of the lower hoist. Chains 1903 move inthe casings 1900 and have pawls 1908 thereon which engage the bottom ofthe powder case and move the same upwardly in said tubes. he projectilerests on top of the powder case and is moved up by the same.

The lower hoist moves the round comprising the powder case and aprojectile into a round-receiving chamber in a carrier 300. The carrier390 at its lower end moves within a ring 316 having a circumferentialflange supported upon the main deck. The casings 1960 of the lower hoistat their upper ends are also within ring 316. The carrier rotates onball bearings 397 about a central column 302 which is secured to a frame15a which depends from and is secured to frame 15 and thus depends fromthe gun support or mount proper. Carrier 30) has a spider 30017 adjacentits lower end. Said carrier has round-receiving chambers in casings 326at each side thereof.

An upper hoist is provided and this comprises the hoist tube casings 301which are carried by brackets 303 secured to a portion 302e of thecentral column which is in turn secured to frame 15a. The casings 301are 180 degrees apart. The upper hoist thus rotates with the centralcolumn and thus with the mount proper on which the gun 10 is mounted.The round of ammunition is transferred laterally by suitable mechanismfrom the chambers in the carrier 309 to the tubes of the upper hoist incasings 301. The carrier 300 is rotated so as to bring theround-receiving chambers therein into axial alignment with the tubes ofthe lower hoist and is latched in such position. After receiving theround the carrier is rotated to bring the chambers therein into lateralor radial alignment with the tubes in the upper hoist and is latched tothe upper hoist in this position.

The upper hoist moves the round to and into a cradle 902. Cradle 902comprises a generally cylindrical casing open at its receiving end. Thecradle when in receiving position is in axial vertical alignment with atube of the upper hoist and is latched in this position. Said cradle 902is carried on an arm 900 which is in turn oscillatably mounted upon ajournal projecting from and coaxial with the gun trunnion 12b so thatsaid arm 900 swings about the axis of the gun trunnion. Arm 900 haspivotally connected thereto an arm 904 which comprises a hydrauliccylinder 904:1 and piston 904e so that it is extensible. Arm 904 ispivoted at its other end to the base ring 14. When the round ofammunition has been transferred to the cradle by the upper hoist, arm904 is extended and the cradle is swung upwardly to a position adjacentthe rear of the gun and with its axis substantially parallel to the axisof the gun. The cradle is guided in this movement by an arcuate guidebar 992.

The upper position of the cradle 902 is its discharge position and it isthen alongside and parallel to the transfer tray 1100 and is latched tothe slide 12. Mechanism is provided to transfer the round sidewise fromthe cradle 902 into the transfer tray 1100. The fuse of the projectileis set by the fuse pot 1531 while the round is in the transfer tray. Thetransfer tray 1100 is then swung down to be coaxial with the bore of gunand the round is then rammed by the rammer spade 1700 from the tray 1100into the breech of the gun.

The gun 10 and housing 11 have the usual recoil construction and moverelatively to the slide 12. Slide 12 includes large side plates 12a anda tailpiece 12C. The slide is carried on the trunnions 12b. Thetrunnions are journaled in large side frames 13 which are secured to thebase ring 14. Base ring 14 is a large weldment of general rectangularform with rounded corners. The slide and gun are elevated by a powerdriven pinion engaging the gear segment 16 secured to the slide.

Breach Block Mechanism Referring to FIGS. 3-5, a breech block for thegun is shown as 1560. Said breech block is moved vertically into a ringor breech-closing position and to a ram or inoperative position. Block1560 has a slight upward taper and when in firing position is wedgedbetween a surface 11a of the gun housing 11 and the rear surface of thepowder case. The rim of the powder case is between the block and therear surface of the gun. A link 1565 is pivotally connected to the lowerportion of block 1560 by the pivot pin 1566, the upper portion of saidlink moving in a recess 1560a in the bottom of the breech block. Link1565 is pivotally connected by a pin 1567 to a lever 1568 which isswingable about a shaft 1570 carried in the outer end portion of bracket1571 projecting from a valve block 1572 movable with the gun in itsrecoil and counter-recoil movement. Lever 1568 is generally oftriangular shape and has pivoted adjacent one side thereof by a pin1574, a link 1573. Link 1573 is pivotally connected at its other end bya pin 1576 to a valve rod 1578a of a valve 1578 movable in a Valvechamber 157251 of valve block 1572. Shaft 1570 has secured thereto a cam1580 having at one side an arm 158011 adapted in one position of saidcam to actuate a switch IW7A and in another position of said cam toactuate a switch IW1A,B,C. Said cam 1580 also has a cam surface 1580badapted in the movement of said cam to actuate a switch IW4A,B, whichswitch has an actuating arm IW4A,Ba carrying a roller adapted to engagethe cam surface 1580i).

A piston valve 1578 reciprocates in valve block 1572 and this movesvalve rod 157811 and swings lever 1568 from the position shown in fulllines in FIG. 3 to the dotted line position shown in said ligure andthis pulls down upon link 1565 and lowers the breech block. Valve 1578has a reduced portion 1578111 which projects through the front end ofblock 1572 and is connected by a link 1582 to a valve rod 1584a of apiston 1584 movable in a 6 chamber 15720 of block 1572. Piston 1584 hasa rod 1584!? which projects through the front end of block 1572.

Valve 1578 has an axial recess therein adjacent rod 1578511 in which isdisposed a valve 1586. Valve 1586 has a beveled front surface whichengages a surface on an annular portion 1578b of valve 1578, whichportion 157817 surrounds an opening 1578c in valve 1578. Valve 1586 isheld against said surface by a compression coiled spring 1585. Aplurality of radial passages 1578d extend from the opening or chamber1578c to the outer cylindrical surface of valve 1578. A plurality ofpassages 1578e extend from the rear end of valve 1578 to an annularchamber 1578f surrounding valve 1586 at its rear end. Valve 1586 has anaxial bore or chamber 1578g therein from which extend a plurality ofradial passages 1578h, said last mentioned passages extending to chamber1578f and thus communicating with passages 1578. Valve block 1572 has anannular chamber 15720? extending about the rear end of valve chamber1572a. Said block also has therein a valve chamber 1572e in one part ofwhich is disposed a valve 1587 having a ilaring open rear end with whichengages a beveled valve 1588 moved into such engagement by a compressioncoiled spring 1589, the other end of which engages one end of valvechamber 1572e. A number of small passages 1588a extend along the beveledsurface of valve 1588. Valve 1587 has an axial chamber therein and aplurality of passages 1587a extend from said chamber to the exterior ofsaid valve. Valve 1587 also has a plurality of passages 1587b extendingthrough the wall thereof at its front end. A passage 1572g connectsvalve chamber 1572e to the annular chamber 1572d and thus to valvechamber 1572a. A conduit and passage 1591 extends from the front end ofvalve chamber 15'72e to a valve block 1592 which is movable with the gunin its recoil and counter-recoil. A conduit and passage 1593 extendsfrom one end of valve chamber 1572a to a valve block 1595. There are anumber of the valve blocks 1595 and in practice three of these have beenused. Each valve block 1595 has therein a valve 1596 movable in achamber 1595a of the block 1595 and said valve has a plunger 159611projecting above the top of block 1595. Block 1595 has a portion with atop surface 1595b which is a short distance below the upper end ofplungers 1596 when the latter are in their upper positions. In practicethis distance has been approximately one-quarter of an inch. When thebottom of the breech block is in the plane of the upper ends of plungers1596 in their upper positions, it is in ram position. Each valve 1595has a small passage extending from the bottom thereof to adjacent itstop from which small radial passages extend to an upper enlarged end ofvalve chamber 1595er. Blocks 1595 are so located that the plungers 1596are engaged by the bottom of said block when the block is lowered.Passage and conduit 1593 also communicates with another passage andconduit 1593a which extends to a valve chamber 1597a in a valve block1597 which also moves with the gun in its recoil and counter-recoilmovement. Passage 1593 adjacent chamber 1572a has therein a chamber inwhich is disposed a check valve 1598. Another passage 1600 extends frompassage 1593 in block 1572 to and around chamber 1572a and to an annularchamber 1572k in block 1572. A multiplicity of small passages 1572iextend from chamber 1572k to chamber 1572a.

Another passage and conduit 1572] extends from chamber 1572d to a valvechamber 1572k extending longitudinally and some distance in block 1572.Passage 1572]' has a chamber therein in which is disposed a check valve1601. A plunger 1603 is disposed in chamber 1572k and is connected at apoint beyond block 1572 to the slide 12. Chamber 1572k has an enlargedportion at its rear end connecting to the main portion by a beveledsurface 1572m. Plunger 1603 has an enlarged portion 1603b at its rearend which ts in passage 1572k in the smaller part of said passage to theleft of beveled portion 157201, as seen in FIG. 5. Plunger 1603 has anaxial passage 16030 extending therethrough and in practice this normallycontains supercharge pressure which is in the operation of the blockequivalent to being connected to tank. A passage and conduit 15720extends between the ends of chamber 1572k, the same having therein achamber in which is disposed a check valve 1604. A passage 1605 connectsto one end of passage 15720 and also connects with a valve chamber 16070formed in a valve block 1607, said chamber having an enlarged rear end.A valve 1608 is movable in the smaller end of chamber 16070 and is movedtoward said end by a coiled compression spring 1609. A passage 16070extends from an annular chamber about valve 1608 to passage 15720. Apassage 16070 extends from passage 16070 to the enlarged end of valvechamber 16070. Block 1607 and associated parts form a relief valve. Aconduit and passage 15720 extends from the rear end of chamber 1572k toa valve chamber 1592]c in valve block 1592. A conduit and passage 1610extends from passage 15720 to and alongside the upper portion of valvechamber 15970, the same having several branches opening into saidchamber.

Valve block 1572 carries a portion having a chamber 1572;) having areduced portion in which tits and moves a pump plunger 1611 having anenlarged portion with a collar thereon engaged by a coiled compressionspring 1612 disposed in an enlarged portion of chamber 157217 and actingto move plunger 1611 to the left, as shown in FIG. 5. Plunger 1611projects from block 1572 and at its end is engaged by a roller carriedon the lower end of a hand lever 1614 pivoted at 1615 in a bracket 1616mounted on the gun slide 12. A passage 1572q extends from chamber 1572pto a tank passage 15721'. A chamber is disposed in passage 1572q andcontains a springpressed check valve 1617. A passage 1572s extends fromone end of chamber 157212 to the tank passage 1572r and contains achamber in which is disposed a spring-pressed check valve 1619. Thepassages 15720, 1572s and 15721A extend below the chamber 1572p, asshown in FIG. 5, to a valve chamber 1572i. Said passages each have achamber below chamber 1572p in which are respectively disposedspring-pressed check valves 1620 and 1621. Said latter check valvesprevent the ow of liquid toward chamber 1572p. Valve chamber 1572i haspassages leading from either side thereof which are adapted to be closedby spring-pressed check valves 1622 and 1623. Passages 15720 and 1572vlead respectively from the chambers of valves 1622 and 1623 to the endsof valve chamber 15720. A valve 1624 is rotatable in chamber 1572t andhas portions adapted to close the ports at either side thereof or havesaid ports open.

Valve block 1592, as shown in FIG. 3, has a chamber 15920 therein inwhich is movable a valve 1625 urged to its upper position in said valvechamber by a compression coiled spring 1626. Valve 1625 has a valve rod16250 extending upwardly therefrom connected by a link 1627 to a bellcrank lever 1629 pivoted to a bracket carried on the gun housing 11.Lever 1629 also has connected thereto a link 1630 which is connected bya pivot 1631 to the powder case ejectors 1632. Said ejectors 1632 havelips 16320. which are disposed in front of the powder case rim. Member1631 carries a roller which moves in a slot 16280 of a bracket 1628carried on the gun housing. The ejector 1632 has an arm 16320 carrying acam roller 16320 which rolls on the top of bracket 1626 and assists inguiding the movement of ejector 1632. There is an ejector 1632 at eachside of the breech and thus at each side of the empty case. The breechblock is provided with a recess 15600 in which are disposed the ejectors1632.

Block 1592 also has therein a valve chamber 15920 in which is disposed avalve casing 1636. A valve 1634 is movable in casing 1636 and is movedto its upper position by a compression coiled spring 1635. Casing 1636has a central opening at its top above valve 1634 and has annular ports16360 and 16360 in the sides thereof with which valve 1634 cooperates. Apassage 15920 extends from port 16360 to the upper end of valve chamber15920. A passage 15920 extends from the lower portion of port 16360 tothe lower end of valve chamber 15920. A passage 15920 extends from theupper end of valve chamber 15920 to a valve chamber 15921 in which isdisposed a valve 1637, which valve is moved to its upper position by acompression coiled spring 1638. A passage 1592g extends from the lowerend of valve chamber 15920. to the bottom of valve chamber 1592f andalso connects to passage 15720. Passage 15720 extends to andcommunicates with chamber 1592]. Valve 1637 has an upper portion 16370projecting from block 1592 and adapted to be engaged by the bottom ofthe breech block when the latter is lowered.

A passage 159211 extends from passage 15720 to a valve chamber 1592i inblock 1592. A valve 1640 is disposed in and movable in chamber 1592i,the same having a rod at its upper end having therein spaced detentgrooves 16400 either of which is adapted to receive a spring presseddetent 1641 for holding valve 1640 in different positions. It will benoted that conduit and passage 1591 communicate with valve chamber 1592iadjacent the upper portion thereof. Valve 1640 has connected to theupper end of the rod extending therefrom a link 1642 in turn connectedto a bell crank lever 1643 pivoted to a bracket 1644 secured to the gunhousing 11. A lever 1645 is pivoted intermediate its ends to a lugcarried on the rammer guide by a pivot 1646 and has an upperportionengaged by a coiled torsion spring 1647. Lever 1645 is held in theposition shown in FIG. 3 by spring 1647 and is adapted to be engaged bythe rammer spade when the latter moves to ramming position. Lever 1645has a lower portion adapted to engage a roller 1648 carried on one armof the bell crank lever 1643.

Valve 1625 has a valve rod depending therefrom through the bottom ofblock 1592, the same being connected by a link 1650 to one end of alever 1651 pivoted at its opposite end to a bracket 1652 carried on thegun housing 11. Valve 1640 has a yoke 16400 embracing said lever so thatwhen valve 1625 moves downwardly, lever 1651 can engage yoke 16400 andmove valve 1640 downwardly.

A passage 1592j extends from the lower portion of valve chamber 1592f tothe upper portion of valve charnber 1592i. A conduit and passage 1592kextends from the upper end of passage 1592]' to an intermediate point invalve chamber 15970. A passage and conduit 159201 extends from valvechamber 1592i at a point below the upper end of passage 1592]' tochamber 15970 below passage 159.21. It will be noted -that passage 1610extending from passage 15720 extends along the side of valve chamber15970 and has several ports communicating with said valve chamber. Apassage 15970 extends from one side of valve chamber 15970 and will beconnected to accumulator pressure or PA. Passage 15970 has therein achamber in which is disposed a check valve 1654 preventing passage offluid outwardly from chamber 15970 through passage 15970. An arm 1653which moves with lever 1651 about pivot 16520 has connected thereto alink 1656 which is in turn connected to a cylindrical shell 1657slidable in a bore in an extension of valve block 1597. Member 1657 isbored to receive the cylindrical end of a detent member 1658 which has afront detent portion adapted to enter a recess 16600 in a valve 1660which is movable in chamber 15970. Member 1658 is urged to move ltowardvalve 1660 and into recess 16600 when possible by a compression coiledspring 1661. Member 1658 has an elongated slot 16580 therein in which ismovable a pin 1662 secured to member 1657. When valve 1625 is moveddownwardly and lever 1651 is swung about pivot 1652a, arm 1652 will beswung counter-clockwise, as shown in FIG. 3 and pin 1662 will be movedto the end of slot 1658a so that the detent member 1658 will be held inwithdrawn position. When valve 1625 is in its upper position, as shownin FIG. 3, detent 1658 can enter the recess 1660a when said recessaligns with member 1658. Valve 1660 is urged to its upper position by acompression coiled spring 1663 engaging the lower end of said valve andthe bottom of valve chamber 1597a. Valve 1660 has a roller 1665 at itsupper end which is urged against the bottom of a portion of the slide 12which contains a downwardly sloping cam portion 12g.

A hand lever 1666, as shown in FIG. 4 is swingable about a pivot 1667 ina bracket 1668 carried on slide 12 and lever 1666 extends below saidbracket and is pivotally connected adjacent its lower end to a link 1669which at its other end is pivotally connected to one arm of a bell cranklever 1670. The other arm 1670a of said lever is disposed in position-to engage roller 1665 at the top of valve 1660. A latch 1666a isspring-pressed to latching position, as seen in FIG. 4, and has a knobat one end for moving it to unlatching position. Latch 1666a is extendedto operate a switch IWBA. When lever 1666 is unlatched for movement,switch IWBA is moved to position to prevent a rammer operation, whichoperation would at such time cause damage.

A pair of switches IW2A,B and IWA3,B are shown above the gun housing 11spaced in the direction of recoil. Said switches have actuating armswhich carry rollers adapted to be engaged by the cam surface 11C whencounter-recoil occurs. Said switches will thus indicate respectively howfar the gun is from battery.

Operation of Breech Block Assuming that the breech block is in upperbreech closing position, as shown in FIG. 3, a cycle of operation tolower the block occurs as follows. The gun is fired and recoil occursand valve block 1597 is moved rearwardly with' the gun as are also valveblocks 1592 and 1572. As roller 1665 is moved rearwardly it is moveddown by cam surface 12g and this depresses valve 1660. Detent member1658 enters recess 1660a and holds valve 1660 in this depressedposition. PA can now pass from passage 1597b around valve 1660, betweenthe upper two lands thereof, through passage 1592k, around valve 1640,between the upper two lands thereof, into passage 1591, through valvechamber 1572e, through port 1572g, chamber 1572d and passages 1578d tothe right-hand end of valve 1578. Valve 1588a is moved rearwardlyagainst the pressure of spring 1589 by this pressure so that a freepassage is had to passage 1572g. When valve 1578 is moved to the left,as shown in FIG. 5, in lowering the block it will cut olf passage 1600when it approaches the end of its movement. The fluid must then pass outthrough the small passages 1572i into annular chamber 1592h and throughpassage 1600. This will give a buing effect or decelerating movement tothe valve and to the block 1560. The PA moves valve 1578 to the left, asshown in FIG. 5. This will move rod 1578er and swing lever 1568 to pulldown on block1560 by the link 1565 and the breech block is lowered.

When recoil occurs, valve block 1572 is moved to the right, as shown inFIG. 5, and thus moves relatively to plunger 1603. plunger 1603 entersthe smaller part of chamber 1572k, the fluid in said chamber is moved bysaid plunger and passes out through passage 1572]', around check valve1661 and into the annular passage 1572d and thus to the right-hand endof valve 1578, as seen in FIG. 5. Thus both pressure formed by recoiland PA are placed on valve 1578. The recoil pressure rises to a muchhigher figure than the PA. Both are used to be sure 4to swing lever 1568and break the toggle formed by said lever and link 1565 and to break thebreech block 1560 loose and When the enlarged portion 1603b ofA 10 pullthe same downwardly. Lever 1568 is thus swung and the breech block ismoved downward.

It will be noted that the fluid forced out of chamber 1572k cannot gointo passage 157211 on acocunt of check valve 1604. It can go intopassage 1605 and into chamber 1607a. Should the pressure rise suicientlyto move valve 1608 to the right a sufficient distance, the uid can thenmove through passage 1607]), into passage 1572n, into chamber 1572k andout through passage 1693a to supercharge or tank. Valve 1608 is thusmerely a relief valve to control the maximum pressure.

As stated, the bottom of the block engages the plungers 1596 and movesthese plungers down against PC or supercharge pressure which isapproximately 200 pounds per square inch. The block is thus cushioned orbuffed and continues downwardly until it reaches and engages thesurfaces 1595i). The valve blocks 1595 and plungers 1596 were providedto prevent any bouncing of the breech block when i-t moves to its lowerposition. In the lirst operation of the mount, considerable trouble wasencountered due to a bouncing action of the breech block when it reachedits ram position. The time cycle of the block in its lowering movementis .06 of a second. The problem presented was solved by the provision ofpiungers 1596.

When the breech block is thus moved downward, it engages the top ofportion 1637a and moves valve 1637 downwardly. As stated, PA is now inpassage 1592k and the same now passes through passage 1592]', aroundvalve 1637, between the lands thereof, into passage 1592e and to theupper end of valve 1634. Valve 1634 is moved downwardly in shell 1636and when it moves down su'iciently, PA can pass freely through the uppercentral opening in shell 1636 and through port 1636a and passage 1592cto the upper end of valve 1625. Valve 1625 is now moved downwardly,pulling down upon link 1627 and swinging lever 1629. Lever 1629 pullsupon link 1636 and this swings the ejectors 1632 and pulls or ejects theempty powder case from the breech of the gun, which powder case isdischarged into the empty case tray. When valve 1625 moves downwardly,it moves the end of lever 1651 downwardly, which lever engages the yoke1640b and moves the same downwardly, thus moving vave 1646 downwardly.Detent 1641 will now enter the upper recess 1640a.

When lever 1651 is swung downwardly, arm 1652 is swung in acounter-clockwise direction and detent member 1658 is moved to the left,as shown in FIG. 3, releasing valve 1660 so that it will be raised byspring 1663 when not obstructed by cam surface 12g. As soon as there issufficient recoil, valve 1660 will move up to the position shown in FIG.3. PA can now pass from passage 1597/1, around valve 1660, between thelower lands thereof, through passage 159351 and passage 1593, intochamber 1595s of block 1595. This pressure will now move plungers 1596to their upper positions, as shown in FIG. 3, and the bottom of thebreech block 1560 will be moved from the plane of surfaces 1595 to theplane of the top surfaces of plungers 1596. The breech block is nowmoved to ram position. However, the breech block iS still held down byPA being at Ithe right or rear end of valve 1578.

When valve 1660 moved upwardly, PA was cut off from passage 1592k and PAwas cut oi from the top of valves 1636 and 1625. Spring 1626 now movesvalve 1625 upwardly, thus moving link 1627 and swinging lever 1629 andthe ejectors 1632 to the position shown in FIG. 3. Ports 1636a and thelower part of valve chamber 1592d are now ported to supercharge or tankthrough passages 1592g, 15720 and 1603a. When PA is cut olf from passage1592k, as described, spring 1638 will move valve 1637 to its upperposition.

The block is now, as stated, in ram position and the gun moves back intobattery.

As the rammer moves forwardly to ram the next round into the breech, therammer spade 176) moving forwardly contacts lever 164-7 swinging thesame in a counterclockwise position about pivot 1646. The lower end oflever 1647 engages roller 1645 on lever 1643 and said lever is swung ina clockwise direction, thus pulling up on link 1642 and lifting valve1640 to its upper position, as shown in FIG. 3. Detent member 1658 isnow released since valve 1625 is in its upper position and yoke 164011is in its upper position. Said detent is thus in position to again enterrecess 166651 when valve 1660 is depressed in the next recoil. Whenvalve 1641i is moved to its upper position the Huid at the right-hand orrear end of valve 1578 can now pass through passages 1578d, chamber157201, chamber 15726, passage 1591 around valve 1641) between the landsthereof, through passage 1592A', around valve 1666, through the portnext to the top port from chamber 159%, through passage 1610 and tochamber '72k, and through passage 1613351 to tank.

Also with valve 1660 in its upper position, PA can now pass throughpassage 15971), around valve 1661i between the lower lands thereof,through passages 159361, 1593 and into chamber 157251 at the front orleft-hand of valve 1578, as seen in FlG. 5. Valve 1575 is now moved tothe right and lever 1565 is swung about its pivot 1570, thus moving link1565 upwardly and moving block 1560 to its upper position. As valve 1578moves to its rearmost or right-hand position, as shown in FIG. 5, whenthe rearmost end part is beyond chamber 1572d, some liquid will betrapped. This will force valve 1536 to the left against the pressure ofspring 1565 and give a bufiing effect. 1t may be stated that when valve1578 is moved rearwardly or to the right, the fluid at the right-handend thereof passes out through passages 15730,', into annular chamber15720? and through passage 1572g and passages 1587er and 1557i) toconduit 1591, then to valve chamber 1592i, around valve 164@ to conduit1592k, around valve 16611, through conduit 1610, through conduit 15720to valve chamber 1572k and through passage 160361 to PS or tank. Whenvalve 157 3 nears the end of its movement the fluid must go throughpassages 1572e, annular charnber 1572d and the small passages 158561.This gives a buing effect. The breech block 1569 is now again in itsupper position and all parts have been brought to the position shown inFGS. 3 and 5.

Apparatus is provided for manually operating the breech block. When itis desired to manually lower the block, lever 1666 will be swung toswing lever 1670 and depress valve 166). The operator can then operatelever 16161` and operate the pump plunger 1611. If it is desired tolower the block, valve 1624 will be moved clockwise, as shown in FIG. 5,to bring line 1621111 into coincidence with line 1624!). The port at`the left-hand side of chamber 1572! will now be opened and the port atthe righthand side of said chamber will be closed. Operation of pumpplunger 1611 will now force huid past check valve 1621, around valve1623 and through passage 1572v to the right-hand end of valve 1584. Thisvalve will now be moved to the left, as shown in FlG. 5, and this willmove rod 15M-a, link 1582, valve 1573, rod 1573a and link 1573, and willswing lever 1568 to pull down upon link 1565 and lower the block. Theiluid at the left-hand side or front side of valve 1584i will pass outthrough passage 157211, into the chamber of valve 1622, and then throughpassage 15741' to the top of valve 1624 and out Vthrough said latterpassage to tank. If it is desired to raise the block, valve 1624 will bemoved counterclockwise, as shown in FIG. 5, to bring the line 1562461into coincidence with line 162%. The port at the right-hand side ofchamber 1572i will now be opened and the port at the left-hand side ofsaid chamber will be closed. Reciprocation of plungers 1611 will nowforce liquid past the valve 1626, into the chamber of valve 1622 andthrough passage 1572u to the front or left-hand side of valve 1584.Valve 1584 will now be moved to the right, as shown in FIG. 5, and lever1568 will be swung to move 12 link 1565 upwardly and move the breechblock 1560 to its upper position. The fluid at the right-hand side ofvalve 1584 can move through passage 15'72v, into the chamber of valve1623, and then around the upper side of valve 1624 to tank passage15'72r. The breech block 1560 can thus be lowered and raised manually.

rl`he rammer spade has a builing member to absorb a portion of theimpact when the rammer eventually engages the gun housing. Should thehousing be too far out of battery proper butiing will not take place andthe rammer will batter the housing. Switch IWZAB prevents operation ofthe rammer until the gun is within one-half inch of battery. SwitchIWSAB prevents the lowering of a transfer tray until the gun is withinthree and thirteen sixteenths of an inch from battery at which time thetransfer tray will clear the gun housing.

From the above description it will be seen that we have produced a noveland very ecient gun mount which operates through a remarkably shortcycle. The mount is designed for a cycle of one and four tenths seconds.This is the time which elapses from the time the round is raised by thelower hoist until the gun is Fired. When the mount is in power operationthe only thing that is done manually is the placing of the projectilesand powder cases in the loader. The rotation of the projectile andpowder drums, the operation of the lower hoist, the carrier, the upperhoist, the cradle, the transfer trays, the fuse pot mechanism, therammer, the breech block mechanism, the empty case tray land the caseejecting mechanism operate automatically in sequence. The necessaryswitches are closed and the actuating solenoids operate in sequence aseach one of the previous elements goes through its operation. As setforth in the description, certain switches must be operated before thenext operation can take place. All of the operations are thussafeguarded so that there will be no interference.

The device has been amply tested in actual operation and found to bevery successful. It has had long tests in the factory and has had athorough test at the Navy proving grounds. The mount is now beingproduced in considerable numbers for the Navy.

It will of course be understood that various changes may be made in theform, details, arrangement and proportions of the parts, withoutdeparting from the scope of applicants invention, which generallystated, consists in a device capable of carrying out the objects aboveset forth, in the parts and combinations of parts disclosed and definedin the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In an automatically operated gun system of the recoil type includingmeans to return the gun tube from a recoiled position to a batteryposition, an automatically operated breech block assembly operable toopen and close the breech of the gun tube, the improvement wherein saidautomatically operated breech block assembly comprises a breech block, abreech block operating iluid motor, a rst link pivotally connected atone end to said breech block, a lever having one end pivotally connectedto the other end of said first link, said lever having its other endpivotally mounted on a stationary portion of said gun, vsaid link andsaid lever disposed in substantially a straight line when said block isin said closed position thereby forming a straightened toggle, saidmotor being operably connected to said lever at a point intermediatesaid ends of said lever in a manner wherein said motor is operable toswing said lever about said other end to break said toggle and move saidbreech block to said open position, a recoil actuated valve operable tocontrol the flow of a first pressurized fluid to said breech blockoperating motor, said recoil valve being actuated by recoil of said gunto thereby permit the communication of said first pressurized `fluid tosaid breech block operating motor thereby causing said motor to movesaid breech block to open the breech of said gun tube, iluid pump meansoperated by said recoil to generate a second pressurized -fluid, saidsecond pressurized fluid being communicated to said breech blockoperating motor in a manner to reinforce said first pressurized fluidduring movement of said breech block to open the breech of said guntube, a rammer Valve actuated when a shell is being rammed into said guntube, said rammer actuated valve and s-aid recoil actuated valveoperable to act in conjunction to effect communication of said rstpressurized fluid to vsaid breech block operating motor in a manner Itocause movement of said breech block to said breech closing position,iand buer means on said breech block operating motor operable togradually decelerate the terminal movements of said motor.

2. The system set forth in claim 1 wherein cushioning means including asecond fluid motor yare provided, said first and second pressurizedfluids being simultaneously communicated to `said cushioning means in amanner whereby said second motor cushions fthe final movement of `saidbreech block during the breech block operating movement.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS

1. IN AN AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED GUN SYSTEM OF THE RECOIL TYPE INCLUDINGMEANS TO RETURN THE GUN TUBE FROM A RECOILED POSITION TO A BATTERYPOSITION, AN AUTOMATICALLY OPERATED BREECH BLOCK ASSEMBLY OPERABLE TOOPEN AND CLOSE THE BREECH OF THE GUN TUBE, THE IMPROVEMENT WHEREIN SAIDAUTOMATICALLY OPERATED BREECH BLOCK ASSEMBLY COMPRISES A BREECH BLOCK, ABREECH BLOCK OPERATING FLUID MOTOR, A FIRST LINK PIVOTALLY CONNECTED ATONE END TO SAID BREECH BLOCK, A LEVER HAVING ONE END PIVOTALLY CONNECTEDTO THE OTHER END OF SAID FIRST LINK, SAID LEVER HAVING ITS OTHER ENDPIVOTALLY MOUNTED ON A STATIONARY PORTION OF SAID GUN, SAID LINK ANDSAID LEVER DISPOSED IN SUBSTANTIALLY A STRAIGHT LINE WHEN SAID BLOCK ISIN SAID CLOSED POSITION THEREBY FORMING A STRAIGHTENED TOGGLE, SAIDMOTOR BEING OPERABLY CONNECTED TO SAID LEVER AT A POINT INTERMEDIATESAID ENDS OF SAID LEVER IN A MANNER WHEREIN SAID MOTOR IS OPERABLE TOSWING SAID LEVER ABOUT SAID OTHER END TO BREAK SAID TOGGLE AND MOVE SAIDBREECH BLOCK TO SAID OPEN POSITION, A RECOIL ACTUATED VALVE OPERABLE TOCONTROL THE FLOW OF A FIRST PRESSURIZED FLUID TO SAID BREECH BLOCKOPERATING MOTOR, SAID RECOIL VALVE BEING ACTUATED BY RECOIL OF SAID GUNTO THEREBY PERMIT THE COMMUNICATION OF SAID FIRST PRESSURIZED FLUID TOSAID BREECH BLOCK OPERATING MOTOR THEREBY CAUSING SAID MOTOR TO MOVESAID BREECH BLOCK TO OPEN THE BREECH OF SAID GUN TUBE, FLUID PUMP MEANSOPERATED BY SAID RECOIL TO GENERATE A SECOND PRESSURIZED FLUID, SAIDSECOND PRESSURIZED FLUID BEING COM-